From 7 November to 21 February 2026, Institut finlandais presents a handicraft collection in collaboration with Lokal gallery, inspired by Kustaa Saksi’s exhibition Roots, as part of A Season in Dialogue with Pekka Halonen. Lokal X Racines is a brand new selection of handmade pieces by twelve contemporary creators.
In the work of Pekka Halonen as well as Kustaa Saksi’s, the Finnish forest, its magic and symbolism are ever-present. A strong connection to nature is also felt in this collection, directly inspired by Saksi’s monumental work; in the winding root-like works of Waltter Mahlberg, in Henna Nuutinen’s abstract sculptures inspired by the secrets of the forest and the ocean, or in Kim Simonsson’s fantastical forest creatures.
Presenting the following artists:
Pasi Karjula
Inka Kivalo
Eija Koski
Didi NG Wing Yin
Henna Nuutinen
Waltter Mahlberg
Santtu Mustonen
Carlo Raymann
Kati Ruohomäki
Kim Simonsson
Janna Syvänoja
Sini Villi
ABOUT LOKAL GALLERY:
Located in the Punavuori district in the heart of Helsinki, Lokal Gallery merges art, craft and sustainability. Each piece reflects the harmony of nature in its essence, material and design. Katja Hagelstam, the curator of this collection, is a photographer and founder of Lokal.
Inspired to create a space to showcase the handmade pieces of young Finnish artists, craftspeople and designers, Katja Hagelstam opened Lokal in April 2012. Different from often intimidating art galleries, Katja’s idea was to create a cosy, home-like environment where art becomes interactive, accessible and sustainable, embodied in everyday pieces that can be passed down from generation to generation. A true platform for established and emerging artists, Lokal received the Finnish Design Deed Award in 2015 and the Finnish State Design Award in 2017.